I have to be honest: I have not actually watched Code of Honor, recently. And from what I recall, the episode was rather thin and designed, basically, to give the Yar character something to do. I also recall that the planet's society has an ethnic, or tribal flavour, or texture, that I suppose could've potentially held certain racial connotations. I am a John Carpenter fan, for example. Big Trouble in Little China is a movie of his starring Kurt Russell and STAR TREK 6's own Kim Catrall, which draws heavy inspiration from old Martial Arts movies and certain mystic beliefs. The movie is very well-loved by many, including me. And yet, JC noted his confusion over how the Asian Community had seen some of its making and shouted racism. JC asked his - mostly Asian - cast, "please ... tell what am I doing wrong?" and they were like, "nothing. Nothing's wrong. We don't understand them." And maybe some of that applies here for Code of Honor. It's not a show I'm fond of, but I doubt censorship at the time would've allowed it to be aired if racism was the show's intentions.
I think maybe you need to rewatch it before you do any apologetics for it It's freaking embarrassing. Intention doesn't excuse it, someone should have pulled the plug on it once they realized (which apparently the did) what the heck they were doing. Of course not pulling the plug can be blamed on all kinds of higher up execs I'd imagine. I just looked up some quotes on it, Michael Dorn said "'Code of Honor' is the worst episode of Star Trek ever filmed." And there are more quotes involving a lot of invective.
I'm sure that Political Correctness still had a very long way to go when CODE of HONOR came out. I do not overly concern myself with perceived elements of racism in STAR TREK, because even where they might exist, this show was always very concerned about presenting a future where Humanity celebrates its differences ... provided that they are ethnic based, of course. Future Humanity apparently still goes for who and what's hot and makes fun of people who act, or are, insecure. And mistrusts anyone or anything unattractive. STAR TREK is rife with imperfections and inappropriateness. ENTERPRISE is the same way. It has some real turkeys and its treatment of Jolene Blalock is sometimes appauling. But what I really love this show for is not what it is, but what it has always tried to be. And having a favorite or least favorite episode is only a matter of taste, nothing more. Whether it's These are the Voyages, Alternative Factor, Code of Honor, or anything else this beloved franchise sees fit to put out ...
I just got finished watching the last 1/3 of season 2. Episode 22 "The Cogenitor" Tripp is a major pain in the ass who seems to think his way of viewing the universe is the only way...glad to see his narrow-mindedness get bitchslapped. Episode 23 "Regeneration" SquEEEEE! Episode 24 "First Flight" This episode reminded me of one of my favorite movies "The Right Stuff". We get to meet the infamous "Ruby" and the "602 Club". I really enjoyed the "Test Pilot" mentality of this episode. Chuck Yeager is one of my heros and I like the "grab life by the tail" mentality written into the characters. Episode 26 "The Expanse" Ruby....we hardly knew ye, but at least half of the males in Starfleet did. The Vulcans pulling an "Event Horizon" moment was kinda lame. Tripp back to being an annoying douche. I did like the interaction between Dr. Phlox and T'Pol. I also enjoyed the build-up to T'Pol resigning her commision and staying with Enterprise. Good space battle moments between Starfleet and Klingons. Starting Season 3 and looking foreward to it!
I need precious little incentive to (re)watch any episode of my beloved Next Generation ... so, I watched this one in all it's sort of "glory." More than anything, Code of Honor comes off as chauvenistic and sexist, but not racist, to me. However, the Native American practice of "Counting Coup" being referenced should've just been avoided. Though I'm certain it's a historically accurate reference, but to hear it explained, it sounds very childish and lame. The Hemmingway Interior Design Sense is completely absent on the planet. The costumes reminded me more of Arabian Knights than anything African. If anything, these aliens reminded me of those in Friday's Child. This episode drags on and on. That is its greatest crime and I give it a verdict of "guilty." ... It's BORING!!!
Too true. Look at the way characters treat Barclay on TNG. That isn't very IDIC. Only Picard seems to stand up for the guy.
That is exactly correct. Where is Humanity's "evolved sensibility" when it comes to Barclay? Now, there's a thought! Does the 24th Century Earth continue to harass and make fun of nerds and dorks, as a matter of course? Why screw with tradition? And am I right in understanding that Barclay didn't even turn up in these stories, until after Roddenberry died? Surprisingly, no one in the Enterprise cast of regulars gets that kind of treatment, for being - what - 300 years earlier?
Evolved on Star Trek means being better than other, coarser races. That's it. Kind of like how some people use the word 'spiritual'. OH THE IRONY.
Barclay just dragged down that whole argument of how wonderful TNG Humans are compared to us. Now, understand ... this isn't just some philosophical concern on my part - this is actually underscored in the series, itself. Picard - well, any of the main cast, really, but mostly Picard - has emphasized to alien races how Humans are so superior, not so much to them, ironically, but when compared to "what we once were ..." basically, the current-day home-viewing audience.
TNG's evolved sensibilities were a load of fuzzy headed crap. The crew was a bunch of condescending ass hats. Any episode that played toward those sensibilities, such as 'Dear Doctor' serve only to highlight the patronizing and supercilious nature of the TNG era.
No. Roddenberry died during production of season five (October 24,1991). "Hollow Pursuits" was near the end of season three (aired April 30,1990). Though I'm not sure how involved Roddenberry was in the day-to-day writing of the show at that point?